National Briefing | Southwest: Texas: Jury Clears Houston Crime Lab

By Adam Liptak (NYT)

Published: August 2, 2003

One of two grand juries looking into problems at the Houston Police Department crime laboratory ended its investigation without filing charges. The DNA unit of the laboratory was closed in January after a state audit found widespread flaws in its work. ''We have learned that the knowledge of problems and lack of action to correct them do not constitute criminal negligence,'' the grand jurors said, in an unusual news release. ''Ethics and moral violations, even if they severely violate the public trust, are beyond our jurisdiction.'' The other grand jury is continuing its inquiry. Adam Liptak (NYT)